7. 
Even like a bark, which from a chasm of mountains,
Dark, vast and overhanging, on a river
Which there collects the strength of all its fountains,
Comes forth, whilst with the speed its frame doth quiver,
Sails, oars and stream, tending to one endeavour; 185
So, from that chasm of light a winged Form
On all the winds of heaven approaching ever
Floated, dilating as it came; the storm
Pursued it with fierce blasts, and lightnings swift and warm.

8. 
A course precipitous, of dizzy speed, 190
Suspending thought and breath; a monstrous sight! 
For in the air do I behold indeed
An Eagle and a Serpent wreathed in fight:—­
And now, relaxing its impetuous flight,
Before the aerial rock on which I stood, 195
The Eagle, hovering, wheeled to left and right,
And hung with lingering wings over the flood,
And startled with its yells the wide air’s solitude.

9. 
A shaft of light upon its wings descended,
And every golden feather gleamed therein—­ 200
Feather and scale, inextricably blended. 
The Serpent’s mailed and many-coloured skin
Shone through the plumes its coils were twined within
By many a swoln and knotted fold, and high
And far, the neck, receding lithe and thin, 205
Sustained a crested head, which warily
Shifted and glanced before the Eagle’s steadfast eye.

10. 
Around, around, in ceaseless circles wheeling
With clang of wings and scream, the Eagle sailed
Incessantly—­sometimes on high concealing 210
Its lessening orbs, sometimes as if it failed,
Drooped through the air; and still it shrieked and wailed,
And casting back its eager head, with beak
And talon unremittingly assailed
The wreathed Serpent, who did ever seek 215
Upon his enemy’s heart a mortal wound to wreak.

11. 
What life, what power, was kindled and arose
Within the sphere of that appalling fray! 
For, from the encounter of those wondrous foes,
A vapour like the sea’s suspended spray 220
Hung gathered; in the void air, far away,
Floated the shattered plumes; bright scales did leap,
Where’er the Eagle’s talons made their way,
Like sparks into the darkness;—­as they sweep,
Blood stains the snowy foam of the tumultuous deep. 225

12. 
Swift chances in that combat—­many a check,
And many a change, a dark and wild turmoil;
Sometimes the Snake around his enemy’s neck
Locked in stiff rings his adamantine coil,
Until the Eagle, faint with pain and toil, 230
Remitted his strong flight, and near the sea
Languidly fluttered, hopeless so to foil
His adversary, who then reared on high
His red and burning crest, radiant with victory.